2013-14 legislative session begins with lawmakers talking of good will

The 67 members of the Minnesota Senate are sworn in by Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea during opening day ceremonies in the Senate Chambers on Tuesday (Jan. 8). (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

by T.W. BudigECM Capitol reporter

The new legislative session (2013-14) began today (Jan. 8) with lawmakers talking of good will and working together for the benefit of the state.

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, left, congratulates new Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker of the House Paul Thissen right during the first day of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday (Photo by Rick Orndorf)

House and Senate members were sworn into office shortly after noon with House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, officially elected by their respective bodies to their leadership posts.

“I really have high hopes for this legislative session,” said Thissen addressing the House.

Bakk spoke of the need for a gritty realism.

“The campaign is over and it’s now time to govern,” Bakk said.

“That means being honest with Minnesotans about our challenges and how we aim to resolve them. We each represent all of our constituents, not just one party or only those who voted for us,” he said.

Democrats hold the reins of state government, controlling the Governor’s Office, all State Constitutional Offices, the Legislature.

Despite expressions of bipartisanship, a small dustup occurred in the House as Republicans attempted a parliamentary maneuver.

“I’m not going to be rolled over,” said House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, prior to start of session.

Still, session opening in the House was marked more by hugs, hand shakes, friends and supporters.

“It’s really nice,” said newly elected Rep. Jim Newberger, R-Becker, of serving in the legislature.

A paramedic for 25 years, Newberger speaks of people being “wired” for certain professions.

And lawmakers are no different.

“I think it’s a gift,” he said of the impulse for public service.

Thissen, speaking about the early bills, cited a school funding shift legislation — repayment next biennium — jobs and property tax bills, others.

House Democrats are going to fulfills promises they made during the election, he said.

Democratic legislative leaders have stressed the primacy of the state budget.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to release his proposed state budget on Jan. 22, setting off a process honed by the release of the February budget forecast later in the session.

Rep. Connie Bernardy, DFL-Fridley, talks to the media on the House floor. Bernardy is a former lawmaker recently reelected to the House. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

The February forecast provides the final numbers for legislators to use on which to base the budget.

Area senators spoke of the need to get things done.

“We owe it to our citizens to get the job done,” newly elected Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, said.

He was excited to represent his district and hopes to be part of a bipartisan effort to fix the budget, to work to create more jobs and to get the economy going again. Hoffman said.

Sen. Melissa Wiklund, DFL-Bloomington, represents District 50 and hopes to be an active force in solving education issues.

She served on the Bloomington School Board prior to being elected to the Minnesota Senate.

Sen. David Osmek, R-Mound, says he is honored and privileged to be taking his oath of office on Tuesday. He credits his wife Kari for pointing him in this direction. He served on the city council for 11 years prior to gaining a seat in the Minnesota Senate.

“For a farm kid from Glencoe, this is like going from A-ball to the Major Leagues,” Osmek said.

Newly elected Sen. Karin Housley, R-St. Mary’s Point, said her entire family was in the Senate gallery to watch her first day of service.

Her husband Phil, a former National Hockey League star, was at her side during the opening session of the Senate.

Former Rosemount High School Principal Greg Clausen, now a DFL senator from Apple Valley representing District 57, brought his mother, also a former educator, with him for the opening day ceremonies.

Rep. Ron Erhardt, DFL-Edina, shares a laugh with Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, on the House floor. The last time Erhardt served in the House he was a Republican. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

“It is a special day to reflect on the history and tradition and take on a responsibility to serve the state and its people,” Clausen said. He will serve on education and higher education committees. He already said he is part of a legislative group which will introduce an education initiative at a news conference on Thursday.